AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 18: Turn the Tide on Plastic and Team Brunel during the start of leg seven of the Volvo Ocean Race on March 18, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

In the current Volvo Ocean Race, seven teams are sailing around the world, racing 45,000 nautical miles in one of the most grueling sporting events on Earth. But the eight-month race — which traverses four oceans and stops in 12 cities — isn’t just about spanning the globe. It’s about protecting it.

United in a quest for environmental sustainability, athletes, researchers, and activists arrive from every corner of the planet to participate in the triennial race. Through conferences, educational programs, and scientific data collection, their goal is to increase knowledge and awareness of sustainability issues, while persuading governments and businesses to reduce their ecological footprint.